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Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced Saturday that his country's presidential election would take place on April 8 and pledged the poll would be "transparent" amid opposition fears of a rigged vote.

Bouteflika, whose mandate ends on April 27, issued the announcement in a decree signed in accordance with electoral law calling for 60 days' notice of the vote.

In addition, Bouteflika announced the establishment of a poll-monitoring committee to "ensure the transparency of the election."

Furthermore, he instructed administrators in the North African country to uphold their "neutrality" and called on "all actors," including candidates to "put their efforts into it loyally."

The Algerian leader has not yet announced, however, whether he will be standing in this year's poll, but there is little doubt that he will. (Albawaba.com)